It is a well-recognized breed of dog, due to its popular name: dachshund. It is precisely this physical characteristic, with its elongated body and short legs, that gives it away Dachshund’s nickname, also known as dachshund. You must know this breed of dog, about which we are going to tell you several curiosities.
Is there a difference between a sausage dog, dachshund or dachshund?
The first question we ask ourselves is whether there is a difference between a sausage dog and a dachshund or a dachshund or just a different way of calling them. “Technically all three designations can be used to refer to the same breed, but ‘Dachshund’ is used colloquially and in some countries they use Dachshund or Dachshund to identify dogs within the same group, but with Different types of fur“, he gave us the details Sonia Size, Veterinarian and Head of Communications at Purina.
Experts tell us that the word is derived from “sausage”. stretched body, Characteristics of such dogs, and its short legs Reminiscent of a sausage. Although “Dachshund” is the German name used to refer to the breed. and the official name “Dachshund”, which also comes from German and means “badger dog” (Dachshunds = badger, Hundred = dog). This is because Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers.
© Getty ImagesAre there different types of dachshunds?
As the expert explained to us, we can usually find two sizes of Dachshund: value Its weight is between 9 to 12 kg and miniature or toys which weigh between 4.5 and 5 kg, but the most common distinguishing feature is coat type:
Long haired dachshund
- This type of Dachshund is medium in size and has short legs.
- Height: 35 cm.
- Weight: 9-12 kg (when it reaches full development).
- Coat Type: Straight, soft and attractive in a variety of colors.
Hier-Quard Dachshel
- This type of Dachshund has a long back, short legs and a small stature. Unlike others, this type of Dachshund is muscular and strongly built with a broad chest and well-developed front legs.
- Height: 35 cm.
- Weight: 9-12 kg (adult).
- Coat Type: Short, coarse hair in various colors. Another distinguishing feature is his thick eyebrows and beard.
Miniature long-haired dachshund
- This type of Dachshund has a long back, short legs and short height. It is a muscular dog with a strong build, a broad chest and well developed front legs.
- Height: 12-15 cm (adult).
- Weight: 4.5 – 5 kg (adult).
- Fur: Smooth, soft and attractive in different colors.
Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund
- This type of Dachshund has a long back, short legs and short height. It is a muscular dog with a strong build. Although it is a small dog, it has a broad chest and well-developed front legs.
- Height: 12 and 15 cm.
- Weight: 4.5-5 kg.
- Coat: Short and hard, bushy eyebrows and beard. Fur can be of different colors.
Small Smooth Haired Dachshund
- This type of Dachshund has a long back, short legs and a short stature. It is a muscular dog despite its small size with a powerful build, a broad chest and well developed front legs.
- cm: 12-15 cm.
- Weight: 4.5-5 kg.
- Coat: Short, dense and smooth in various colors.
Smooth-haired dachshund
- This type of dachshund is small, but it is not a small dog. Although it has short legs, its size is medium.
- cm: 35 cm.
- Weight: 9-12 kg.
- Coat: Smooth, soft and attractive in a variety of colors.
© Getty ImagesWhat are the physical characteristics that define a Dachshund or Dachshund?
“The physical characteristics that define the Dachshund par excellence are, mainly, their elongated bodies and short legs. His elongated head, his ears drooping and attached to his cheeks, and his expressive gaze are also distinct. This is one Small dog, very agile and with very good reflexes“, the expert tells us.
And he added that apart from these physical features, this species has other notable features:
- As we said, There are short hair, long hair and coarse hair variations.
- It is possible to find samples Monochromatic, bichromatic or spotted. The most common colors are red, black and tan, and tan. However, the breed has a wide range of solid colors and color combinations, such as chocolate, black, cream, boar, wheaten, chocolate and cream, chocolate and tan, blue and tan, and fawn and tan.
- there is different sizes: Standard Dachshund and Miniature Dachshund.
- usually, Their life span is 12 to 15 years.
- Its height varies Between 12 and 15 cm and they weigh between 4.5 and 5 kg (miniature), while standard dachshunds are between 20 and 23 cm and weigh between 9 and 12 kg.
What is the origin of this breed of dog?
We know that the dachshund originated in Germany, dating back to the 15th century, although representations of similar dogs have been found in artworks from ancient Egypt and Mexico.
“In the meantime, German hunters were making a search Dogs with excellent sense of smell And follow the following skills. To achieve this, they transcend Deutsche Bracke Along with the small hunting dog breed, which gave rise to this breed with an elongated body, short legs and sharp claws. These physical characteristics made this small animal a Excellent underground diggers and hunters. The smaller specimens were dedicated to hunting rabbits and hares, while the larger ones were used to hunt foxes, wild boars and badgers,” the vet told us.
The standard model of this breed was established in Germany in 1879, but was not recognized until 1888 when Deutscher Dachshund ClubA breeder’s club.
Dachshunds came to Britain with Prince Albert and became popular in the United States and Britain in the 19th century, although their popularity declined during World War I due to their Germanic origins.
“International Cynological Federation (FCI) Dachshunds were officially recognized in 1955Giving them international status. Since then, the breed has gained popularity around the world and has become a beloved family pet and a great hunting companion,” he tells us.
What is the character or personality of this breed of dog?
- The character of this breed of dog is Generally very balancedThey do have a reputation for being somewhat stubborn though. They easily adapt to all kinds of environments and conditions.
- It’s with a dog Lots of personality and witAble to learn very quickly. Furthermore, they are friendly, and above all brave; They are not afraid to face animals bigger than them.
- they are dogs Very intense, with lots of energy and hard to tire of them. They have a happy and playful character.
- This is one The most affectionate and loyal breed Those who exist and are very close to their families.
- with him Acute sensation of hearing And with their protective nature, dachshunds make excellent watchdogs, quickly alerting their owners to anything unusual.
- Dachshunds bark excessively because they are hunting dogs, and even though they are small dogs, their barks are quite loud.
© Getty ImagesAre they dogs that can live well with children?
As the Purina vet explains to us, dachshund dogs They get along well with childrenAs they are playful, energetic and enjoy activities like playing with balls and other toys. “They are ideal companions both in urban environments and on outdoor walks, as they have a lot of energy. Additionally, they easily adapt to living in small spaces such as apartments or flats. However, due to their strong character, it is advisable to supervise their interaction with young children to ensure good coexistence,” he points out.
Does this breed need health care?
A person who decides to keep a dachshund at home should remember that this is a breed for which at least One hour of exercise a day.
And a common problem with this breed of dog is its tendency to be overweight, which can lead to serious complications, such as joint and spine problems, a common condition in dachshunds due to their elongated anatomy. “Therefore, it is essential to avoid activities involving jumping or climbing stairs, as they can exacerbate these conditions. Instead, it is advisable to choose games that do not overload your back,” he elaborates.
It should also be remembered that there are dachshunds floppy ears And that’s why it’s important to keep them clean regularly to avoid getting infections.
© Getty ImagesWhat should your diet be like?
When taking care of their diet, we must consider that it must be specific to the small breed that helps them maintain their ideal weight and contains enough nutrients that the Dachshund needs to be healthy and fit. “E.g They have a fast metabolismIt is important that they do not eat a lot, but eat often. In addition, in the first month of their life, dachshund puppies have Specific nutritional needs That must be taken care of. It is essential to regulate their diet according to their age and level of physical activity so that they do not gain weight easily and develop joint problems over time,” concluded the vet.
